Celebrating 2017!

The festive season is upon us and the year is drawing to a close, and there is only one thing to do.

Celebrate! 

We think this has been one of our best yet! Highlights include:

• 40,293 children and young people are registered with CU in Sheffield and have collectively gained 2,455,416 credits in total so far. That’s 464,603 hours that children and young people have taken part in during 2017, and an additional 4,000 children and young people who have started collecting CU credits during this year alone!

• We reached another significant milestone back in March and were very proud to announce that children and young people in Sheffield had clocked up over 2 million hours of voluntary learning in their own time, all tracked and rewarded by Sheffield CU. We celebrated this at our March award ceremonies, presenting Georgia Taylor from Southey Green with the 2 millionth hour on behalf of the children of Sheffield. We were overwhelmed with all the positive feedback and press coverage we received, and can’t wait to reach the next million which we hope will happen during the first half of 2018

• There are now 209 Learning Destinations (and counting!) across Sheffield. This year, to our family of Learning Destinations, we have added a number of new organisations including 33rd Sheffield Scout Group, 54th Sheffield (St Luke's Rainbows, Brownies and Guides), 57th Fulwood Rainbows, 61st Sheffield Scouts, 267th Dore Beavers, 273rd Handsworth Beavers, Cubs & Scouts, Bradi Lea Dance Company, Chapeltown Amateur Swimming Club, Dan Johnson Drum Lessons, Foresteers, Foxhill Forum, From Small Seeds Children's Yoga, Fulwood Sports Club (Squash Coaching), Fun Science – Sheffield, KUMON, Lauren McCaslin School of Theatre Dance, Learn Spanish with Liz, Little Sheffield, Music City Music School, Phoenix Gymnastics Academy, Sheffield Academy of Martial Arts, Sheffield Bridge Club, Sheffield Wednesday, Silverwood Music School, SoccerEds/EvoSoccer, Stocksbridge Community Leisure Centre, Tom Warner (percussion), Wild Spirit Allstars and Wild Wood Activities. We have also been revalidating a large number of providers that have been involved for over 3 years to ensure they were able to keep their Learning Destination status. This is an important part of our work to ensure all CU credits received at our Learning Destinations are earned by taking part in good quality out of school structured learning right across the board.

• There are currently 70 schools subscribed to Sheffield Children’s University. New additions include Halfway Infant School, Hallam Primary School and Becton School, with 5 more on the waiting list to start in the new year! We were also thrilled that 99% of our CU schools chose to re-subscribe this year, which is our highest ever retention rate!

• During 2017, Sheffield CU have given out nearly 6,000 Bronze Awards, 4,000 Silver Awards and have had a fabulous 2,733 Gold Award winners who have been invited to attend one of our fantastic award ceremonies at the Town Hall, University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University and EISS. That’s a further 26% increase in Gold Award winners when compared to last year (which saw a 26% increase too!). During November, we were really excited to host our very first ceremonies at the English Institute of Sport in partnership with Sheffield International Venues. They were our biggest ceremonies yet as during this month alone, we created nearly 3,000 awards for our fantastic CU members! 

• We were really excited to launch our brand new Award Certificates in September. Developed by the national CU Trust, they have been updated to a more modern design and now include a foil imprint. Whilst the framework remains the same in terms of award intervals (e.g. 30hrs Bronze, 65hrs Silver, 100hrs Gold etc), the design is very different to our previous awards, and has been very well received by our award winners and their families at our Autumn ceremonies!

• We were very proud to successfully maintain our Advanced Quality in Study Support (QiSS) status during the summer. QiSS is a national quality assurance framework that schools and learning organisations can utilise to demonstrate that they deliver high quality provision that makes a real difference to children, young people and families. The achievement of the three quality marks demonstrates excellence in a variety of areas including raising attainment and achievement and engaging learners with a variety of needs. The Sheffield CU team previously received Advanced status (the final level of a 3 step award system) back in June 2014 after a very rigorous external validation process. In order to maintain our Advanced status which expired after 3 years, we were tasked with building another portfolio which provided evidence of how we have continued to develop a high quality service. We also demonstrated how we developed our Advanced practice even further by leading training and strategically supporting our area of work at local and national levels. 

• We published our 2016 ‘Sheffield Children’s University – How does it make a difference?’ report which contains in-depth analysis of the impact of participation in CU activities on attainment and attendance, and progress measures, as well as anecdotal evidence of impact through a number of case studies. For the first time, this report also included a detailed look at new performance measures as well as examining the impact on the most vulnerable children and young people in the city. Findings from this report are again very positive and provide further evidence of the clear link between participation in CU activities and academic performance and attendance, reflecting findings of annual reports produced in Sheffield since 2009. For more details, or to view a copy of the report, please visit: http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/cu

• Our ‘Project in a Box’ programme continues to thrive as we hosted both our Gardening box celebration event in Norfolk Park, and Samba Day at Sheffield City Hall during the summer term. We were thrilled to provide over 400 children from 35 schools with the opportunity to share skills, learn something new, AND have lots of fun too. We also created Sheffield’s largest Samba band on the City Hall steps! We recently rolled out the 2017/18 programme and are proud to work in partnership with Ignite Imaginations to deliver our ‘Art in a Box’ project to 30 of our CU schools. At the recent schools twilight training event held at the Sheffield Institute for Art, there were 38 school staff who came to develop their skills, a record turn out!

• Back at the beginning of the year, we funded over 20 new out of school activities in our CU schools through our Acorn Fund which enables children and young people to bid for funds to develop, sustain or re-invigorate a CU activity in school. Activities funded in this round included a Lego Construction Club, Archery Club, Sensory Club, Gymnastics, an Animation Club and a Climbing/Bouldering Club! Applications to our Acorn Fund for this academic year are currently beginning accepted until mid January so we look forward to reading lots more applications very soon!

• The Sheffield CU Festival of Fun was back and bigger and better than ever in 2017! We kicked off proceedings in style with a fantastic procession down the Moor with Razzamataz Theatre School Sheffield, ending in the Moor Market with a marketplace full of providers and a number of special taster sessions. There was also a Moor Market quiz and lots of maypole dancing too! During the first three weeks of the hols, there were lots of FREE activities on offer from our fab Learning Destinations including Awesome Walls, Sheffield Hallam University, Greentop Circus, Arches Sports Partnership, Sheffield Star Mandarin School and Amanda Holland School of Dance

• We held our very first Sheffield CU schools conference at Kelham Island Industrial Museum during the summer term. Developed in response to feedback from school staff, it was an inspiring full day session that aimed to support staff in the development and delivery of CU in schools. Helen O’Donnell joined us from the CU Trust to give the keynote speech and staff took part in a number of workshops and were able to visit a Learning Destination marketplace to get ideas to take back into school. Feedback was very positive and we hope to repeat our success in the summer of 2018 so watch this space!

• Free CU LIVE! activities have been taking place during the holidays, with some fabulous activities from Imagination Gaming, Museums Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University Outreach team and The University of Sheffield Student Union volunteering to name but a few! CU LIVE! will be back next year, and will be coming to a venue near you! This will kick off with a very special Sheffield Science Saturday delivered by our friends at Sheffield Volunteering and the student societies on 24th February 2018. More info will be available early in the new year.

• We continue to work closely with the national CU Trust and met with CU colleagues from across the country back in November to discuss national developments. We were also very proud to see CEO of the CU Trust Helen O’Donnell deliver a fantastic TED talk as part of TEDxNantwich. The speech entitled ‘ Whose job is it to educate our children?’ really highlights the importance of encouraging and inspiring children to learn outside of the classroom. View it here: https://youtu.be/kuNSyKeNRiM

• And we are sure there will be lots more to celebrate in 2018! 

Finally, we want to take this opportunity to say a HUGE thank you to you, along with all our colleagues, schools, Learning Destinations and partners for supporting our work and ensuring the children and young people of our wonderful city are celebrated and rewarded for their achievements.

We hope you enjoy the festive season, have a restful break and look forward to seeing you in the new year.

Merry Christmas!

Katie, Helen O, Sakina, Helen N and Molly

The Sheffield CU Team

Planning your October fun?

There are some spooky happenings all across Sheffield this October half term - have you planned your holiday fun yet?

The October Children's University Passport to Learning newsletter which includes details of activities across Sheffield happening during the October half term is now available! Click HERE or the link on the side of these page to start planning now!

Children and young people who take along a Passport to Learning will be able to earn additional CU credits at these activities. There's also a list and contact details of our validated Learning Destinations.

During October 2017, there will be a number of FREE CU LIVE! activities taking place in the Moor Market. Please see the newsletter for more details!

Sheffield CU - How does it make a difference?

We are very pleased and proud to share with you the 2016 ‘Sheffield Children’s University – How does it make a difference?’ report which provides detailed evidence of the impact of Children’s University in Sheffield. Any school, or Learning Destination will tell you that being part of CU and being celebrated and rewarded for taking part in out of school activities makes a difference.

Here in Sheffield, we do lots of work looking at the impact of participation in these activities, through lots of data analysis, but also through case studies and evidence collected from schools, providers, parents and the children themselves. With over 39,000 children and young people in our city with CU credits, we have a lot of information to work with!

This builds on our previous report and includes a detailed look at the impact of participation in CU activities on attainment, attendance and progress, as well as anecdotal evidence of impact through a number of case studies. For the first time, this report includes a detailed look at new performance measures as well as examining the impact on the most vulnerable children and young people in the city. It also includes analysis of progression routes for post 16 students.

“I always lacked confidence when I was younger and I didn’t want my girls to find that they lacked confidence too. The Children’s University is an almost guaranteed way of making sure that the confidence they gain will bring them success in the future.” – Sheffield parent/carer

“The most important thing for me is that children are having fun whilst learning at the same time, which they don’t realise."- School staff member

Click here to view the full report: 'Sheffield CU - How does it make a difference?'

New term, new award certificates!

As the new term begins, we are really excited to announce that the CU Trust have created new Award Certificates which we will be using from September onwards! 

They have been updated to a more modern design and have a lovely foil imprint that reflects the Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. We will continue to use the national framework of awards so there is no change in terms of award intervals (30hrs = Bronze, 65hrs = Silver, 100hrs = Gold etc), it’s just the design of the certificates that will change. 

These certificates will now be presented at all our award ceremonies and used for Bronze and Silver certificates, replacing the previous format. We hope you like them as much as we do!

We did it!- Maintaining our Advanced Quality Award

We have achieved another important milestone here in Sheffield and we can’t wait to share the news!

Some of you may be aware of the QiSS (Quality in Study Support) Awards. For those who haven’t come across it previously, QiSS is a national quality assurance framework that schools and learning organisations can utilise to demonstrate that they deliver high quality provision that makes a real difference to children, young people and families.

The achievement of the three quality marks demonstrates excellence in a variety of areas including raising attainment and achievement and engaging learners with a variety of needs. The Sheffield CU team previously received Advanced status (the final level of a 3 step award system) back in June 2014 after a very rigorous external validation process. In order to maintain our Advanced status which expired after 3 years, we were tasked with building another portfolio which provided evidence of how we have continued to develop a high quality service. We also demonstrated how we developed our Advanced practice even further by leading training and strategically supporting our area of work at local and national levels.

Both Helen and I were overwhelmed with the fantastic feedback we received from our recognition meeting, which was more of a celebration of our work. We were praised on providing a ‘wonderful portfolio’ which was full of ‘outstanding evidence’ of all our work. We are very proud to have maintained our status at Advanced, showing that we are indeed making a real difference to all those involved in Children’s University here in Sheffield. We have found the QiSS process so valuable in informing our development and allowing us identify and address gaps in our provision.

Achieving this award would not have been possible without the help of our critical friend Anita de Brouwer. And also a BIG thank you to all of our schools, Learning Destinations, partners and parents/carers for being so instrumental in the development of CU here in Sheffield and helping us grow such a fantastic project. We couldn’t be more proud!

CU Festival of Fun 2017 Spotlight on…

Something a little bit different!

Treasures and Trails of Sheffield

Sheffield Hallam University have developed a wonderful trail around their central campus buildings. Not only will the trail give you a guided tour of the most interesting and exciting parts, but you’ll be able to help solve the mystery of the stolen treasures and landmarks of Sheffield! You’re in luck as the trail starts during the CU Festival of Fun, but runs throughout the summer, so plenty of time to help solve the riddle.

But that’s not all – Sheffield Hallam University are holding their Family Fun Day on Friday 28th July – a fun packed day of interactive activities including arts and crafts, competitions, experiments, sports and the launch of the treasure hunt as above.

• Friday 28th July, 10.00am-3.00pm, Hallam Square, Howard Street, S1 1WB (Family Fun Day), all ages welcome
• Friday 28th July to Friday 25th August (Mon-Fri only), 9.00am-3.00pm, 5-13 years (and families), starts at Owen Building, City Campus, Howard Street, S1 1WB

No booking required for these activities, but you can contact them on 0114 2552130 for more information.


Kung Fu, Dance and Games – all from the wonderful Chinese heritage

Our friends at the Sheffield Star Mandarin School join our CU Festival of Fun for the first time this year, and their activities promise to be bright, colourful and lots of fun. Whether it’s Chinese kung fu, Chinese dance or traditional Chinese games that you’re interested in, no need to worry – you can do all three, or any combination you like!

Their activities will be running for a full week, and no previous experience is needed. Why not give them a try?

You can find their sessions below…

• Monday 31st July to Friday 4th August, 9.00am-1.00pm, 7-14 years, Octagon Centre, University of Sheffield

Contact them on 07846 262870 to book your place and for more information

For details of these and all the activities as part of CU Festival of Fun, please download the programme here: Festival of Fun 2017

CU Festival of Fun 2017 Spotlight on....

Music, Dance and Drama

Dance, dance dance!

The wonderful Hype Dance are joining us once again as part of our Festival of Fun. Their four sessions all promise something different – from street dance and acro, to musical theatre dance, and a workshop based around the amazing musical Lion King. Some of these sessions are booking fast, but why not contact them to secure your place now, or find out about their regular activities?

You can find Hype Dance at the following sessions…

• Wednesday 26th July, 2.00pm-3.30pm, Firth Park Library (Streetdance/acro)
• Thursday 27th July, 10.00am-11.30am, Southey Library (Lion King)
• Tuesday 8th August, 2.00pm-3.30pm, Chapeltown Library (Musical Theatre Dance)
• Friday 11th August, 10.30am-12.00pm, Stocksbridge Library (Street dance)

Contact Hype Dance on 0114 2758503 to book a place and for more details.

Street dance, Matilda and Cheer dance – Three Cheers to Amanda Holland!

Amanda Holland School of Dance join us for the first time this year, delivering three fantastic workshops spread across the city. Whether you’re into street dance, musical theatre such as the smash hit Matilda, or Cheerleading is more your thing, then there is a session for you.

You can find them at the following sessions…

• Friday 28th July, 1.00pm-3.00pm, Broomhill Library (Street Dance) 
• Wednesday 2nd August, 10.30am-12.30pm, Totley Library (Cheer Dance)
• Thursday 10th August, 10.30am-12.30pm, Frecheville Library (Matilda workshop)

Contact them on 07778 894860 to book a place or to find out more.

Noodle Performance Arts – the one to watch!

Yes, parents and carers can actually watch the results of this workshop, through a short performance at the end! Join Noodle for a fun and lively performance arts session based on a top musical, delivered at their base in Beighton, Sheffield. You can be guaranteed a great hour of activity, all resulting in a performance to be proud of.

Find Noodle’s session as follows…

• Monday 31st July, 9.30am-10.30am, Beighton Lifestyle Centre

Contact Jess on 07821 887073 to find out more and to book a place.


Fun theatre workshops for everyone!

Our friends Razzamataz Theatre Schools – Sheffield join us once again to deliver some fun, lively workshops based on musical theatre. A mix of singing, dance and drama, your kids are guaranteed to have a razztastic time. There’s even a workshop delivered especially for children with special needs. In response to feedback from previous events, we’ve worked with Razzamataz to deliver something which will be a carefully delivered session, suitable for children aged 6-10 years with a range of SEN. Extra, specialist staff will be on hand to ensure your child can join in the Razz magic. Contact them to discuss your child’s needs if you feel this session would be suitable for your child.

Find Razzamataz at the following places…

• Friday 4th August, 12.00pm-1.00pm (4-7 yrs), Park Library
• Friday 4th August, 1.00pm-2.00pm (8-12 yrs), Park Library
• Tuesday 8th August, 10.30am-11.30am (6-10 yrs, specialist SEN session), Central Children’s Library
• Thursday 10th August, 3.00pm-4.00pm (4-7 yrs), Newfield Library
• Thursday 10th August, 4.00pm-5.00pm (8-12 yrs), Newfield Library

Contact Razzamataz to find out more and book a place, on 07979 189177

For details of these and all the activities as part of CU Festival of Fun, please download the programme here: Festival of Fun 2017

CU Festival of Fun 2017 Spotlight on…

The Great Outdoors

Wonderful Wincobank Hill

Penny Rea Projects join us once again for a family ramble through the ancient woodlands on Wincobank Hill, to be rewarded with a magnificent view right across the city, from the Iron Age Hillfort. But along the way, you’ll have the chance for some den building and even toasting marshmallows on the fire. An opportunity not to be missed – children MUST be accompanied by an adult.

Sessions will be run as follows…

All are for ages 4yrs+ and families, and you should meet at Upper Wincobank Chapel…

• Monday 31st July, 10.00am-12.30pm 
• Monday 31st July, 1.30pm-4.00pm 
• Wednesday 2nd August, 10.00am-12.30pm
• Wednesday 2nd August, 1.30pm-4.00pm

Contact Penny for more information and to book your place on 07980 143776.

For details of these and all the activities as part of CU Festival of Fun, please download the programme here: Festival of Fun 2017 

CU Festival of Fun 2017 Spotlight on...

Sports and Physical Activity

Martial Arts Taster

Our friends at Academy of Self Defence are back! Their fun introduction to martial arts will teach children and young people what a martial art is and how training in one can help them to develop even more transferable skills. The session includes practical activities but not throws or falls this time – but if you’re interested in taking your new learning to the next level, why not join their club for more sessions throughout the summer and beyond? 

You can find Academy of Self Defence at the following session…

• Monday 24th July, 1.30pm-2.30pm, Burngreave Library

Call Garry on 07738 909125 for more information and to book a place.

Shuttle cocks and swords!

Arches Sports Partnership join CU Festival of Fun for the first time this year and are offering taster sessions in both badminton and fencing – sports which are less commonly available to children and young people.

Come along and try these sports for some guaranteed fun, and if you’re hooked after just a few hours, they’ll be able to give you details of where you can carry on your new found hobby!

You can find Arches Sports Partnership delivering their Festival of Fun sessions as follows…

• Friday 28th July, 9.00am-12.00pm, BADMINTON, Forge Valley School Sports Hall
• Friday 4th August, 9.00am-12.00pm, FENCING, Forge Valley School Sports Hall

Call them on 07585 604220 for more information and to book a place.


Kids climbing the walls?

They won’t be climbing the walls through boredom here as Awesome Walls return to our Festival of Fun once more, delivering their fabulous taster session in indoor rock climbing. No experience necessary as they’ll be taught how to identify some of the essential equipment, and name some important climbing knots before having a go at climbing and descending their amazing walls.

They’ll be running their sessions as follows…

• Wednesday 26th July, 2.00pm-3.00pm, Awesome Walls (Sheffield) Centre, Garter Street, S4 7QX
• Tuesday 8th August, 10.00am-11.00am, Awesome Walls (Sheffield) Centre, Garter Street, S4 7QX

Call them on 0114 2446622 for more information and to book a place.


Girls’ Football

We kick off (sorry!) our Festival of Fun with Charnock Ridgeway Junior Football Club to Festival of Fun for the first time this year, as they deliver football skills sessions just for girls. Whether you’re an experienced tacker, sharp shooting scorer or just want to improve your kickabout skills, then join them for their sessions which are guaranteed to be full of friendship, football and above all – fun!

Their sessions will be run as follows…

• Saturday 22nd July, 10.30am-11.30am, Lightwood Playing Fields, Bowman Drive, S12 3LH
• Saturday 29th July, 10.30am-11.30am, Lightwood Playing Fields, Bowman Drive, S12 3LH

Contact them for more information and to book a place, on 07957 449572


Specially Designed Multi-Sports Sessions

In response to feedback from families of children with special educational needs, we have worked in conjunction with our friends at the English Institute of Sport (Sheffield). As part of the CU Festival of Fun, they will be delivering 2 sessions of multi-sports activities, specifically for children with a range of special needs – physical and/or learning difficulties. All the family can get involved in these exciting activities in a fun, relaxed and informal setting. And when we say multi-sports, we really mean it! They will include badminton, table tennis, quick cricket, football, boccia, boxing, volleyball and athletics – phew!

Sessions will run as follows…

• Monday 24th July, 6.00pm-7.00pm, EISS, Coleridge Road, S9 5DA
• Monday 7th August, 6.00pm-7.00pm, EISS, Coleridge Road, S9 5DA

Contact them on 0114 2235620 or email charlotte.rogerson@siv.org for more information and to book a place.

Clowning around sound like your thing?

Then try in the sessions being run by Greentop Circus as they join us once again for our Festival of Fun. They’ll be helping you master the art of tight wire walking and flying through the air on a trapeze (first session only), but if you prefer your feet to stay firmly on the ground then have a go at juggling, plate spinning, flower sticks, diabolo and even trying to ride a unicycle (all sessions)!

You can find Greentop Circus events on the following dates…

• Monday 24th July, 10.30am-12.00pm, St Thomas Building, 74 Holywell Road, S4 8AS
• Monday 31st July, 10.30am-12.00pm, Ecclesall Library
• Monday 7th August, 10.30am-12.00pm, Manor Library

Contact Greentop on 0114 2448828 for more information and to book a place, or visit www.greentop.org/youth-circus

Get your skates on!

But if you don’t have your own, don’t worry! We welcome back the Sheffield Wildcats Roller Hockey Club to Festival of Fun, who will be delivering two sessions aimed at beginners. The fun, safe activities will help children become independent and proficient skaters, as well as the basics of hockey. Equipment will be provided but you’re welcome to take your own roller skates if you have them.

The Wildcats can be found at the following sessions…

• Monday 24th July, 10.30am-12.30pm, Concord Sports Centre, Shiregreen Lane, S5 6AE
• Monday 24th July, 1.30pm-3.30pm, Concord Sports Centre, Shiregreen Lane, S5 6AE

Contact them on 07961 192322 for more information and to book your place.

For details of these and all the activities as part of CU Festival of Fun, please download the programme here: Festival of Fun 2017

CU Festival of Fun 2017 Spotlight on…

Gaming

Learn to Play, Play to Learn

Our friends Imagination Gaming are back with their fantastic workshops under their motto – Learn to Play, Play to Learn.

The guys bring along an amazing range of board games, card games and strategy games which are sourced from all over the world! We guarantee there’ll be at least one you’ve never seen before and a few familiar favourites too. 

Sessions are designed to be relaxed, social, friendly and for individuals and families too.

The Imagination Gaming sessions are simply drop-in so no need to book, and they’re happening all over the city during the CU Festival of Fun. Make sure you pop along to at least one of them!

You can find their sessions as follows…

· Saturday 29th July, 9.30am-12.00pm, Ecclesfield Library

· Saturday 29th July, 1.00pm-3.00pm, Darnall Library

· Friday 4th August, 10.00am-12.30pm, Greenhill Library

· Friday 4th August, 1.30pm-4.30pm, Jordanthorpe Library

· Monday 7th August, 10.30am-1.30pm, Crystal Peaks Library

· Monday 7th August, 2.30pm-5.30pm, Highfield Library

Contact them for more information on 07957 449572. No booking required – just pop in! Children aged 5-8 MUST be supervised by an adult.

For details of these and all the activities as part of CU Festival of Fun, please download the programme here: Festival of Fun 2017

CU Festival of Fun 2017 Spotlight on…

Arts and Crafts Activities

My Story

Our friends at Ignite Imaginations are working with us again on delivering exciting arts and crafts activities across the city.

Join them at four sessions across the city where each child will be invited to create ‘My Story’ – a beautiful pull out picture book to take the reader on a journey about the child’s life so far and their adventures with friends and family. Or perhaps they could make a book about an imaginary explorer who ventures to unknown lands?

You can find Ignite Imaginations at the following places…

• Tuesday 25th July, 1.00pm-3.00pm, Parson Cross Library
• Tuesday 1st August, 2.00pm-4.00pm, Hillsborough Library
• Thursday 3rd August, 2.00pm-4.00pm, Central Children’s Library
• Tuesday 8th August, 10.00am-12.00pm, Stannington Library

Call them on 0114 268 6813 to book a place and for more information.

Spoon Monster

Another of our fantastic Learning Destinations Museums Sheffield will also be delivering a very special activity. Have you seen the ‘Spoon Monster’ in the Millennium Gallery? Well he was inspired by a Johnny White sculpture, called ‘Barking up the Wrong Tree’, and so this year, Museums Sheffield want to use their very own Spoon Monster to inspire children and young people to create their own sculptures using a range of craft materials.

You can find the activity at Millennium Galleries on the following dates:

Thursday 27th July, 110.00am-2.00pm

 Friday 28th July, 11.00am-2.00pm

No need to book a place – just call in! Call 0114 278 268655 to find out more info.


For details of these and all the activities as part of CU Festival of Fun, please download the programme here: Festival of Fun 2017

Planning your summer fun?

The Children's University Passport to Learning newsletter which includes details of activities happening across Sheffield during the summer holidays is now available!

As well as our fantastic FREE Festival of Fun, our Learning Destinations are also delivering lots of fabulous activities right through the summer, where you can collect CU credits. We have pulled together this information into our summer activity newsletter, which you can view HERE or by clicking the link on the right of the page!

Children and young people who take along a Passport to Learning to all the activities listed in the newsletter will be able to earn additional CU credits at these activities. These are available from Sheffield libraries, and some Learning Destinations across the city. There's also an up to date list and contact details of our validated Learning Destinations.

For all the latest Festival of Fun info and updates:

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/sheffieldcu

Follow us on Twitter: @SheffieldCU ‪‬

Festival of Fun 2017!

Sheffield Children's University (CU) are thrilled to announce that the CU Festival of Fun which
features FREE activities right across the city delivered in the run up to and at the start of the summer holidays is BACK, and BIGGER and BETTER than ever!

There are over 40 activities planned for the summer festival including a treasure hunt and family fun day at Hallam University, woodland fun, roller hockey, Chinese kung fu, dance and games, music, climbing, circus skills, football, fencing, martial arts, gaming, dance and drama. They are for children aged four to five years upwards, and some are aimed at families taking part together, as well as activities specifically designed for children with SEN.

The activities will be FREE to Sheffield children who have a CU Passport to Learning. Not got yours yet? Don’t panic – you can buy one from Sheffield libraries for just £3.50 each for Festival of Fun and then use it at Learning Destinations across the city when summer activities have ended!

CU Festival of Fun 2017 will kick off with a fantastic launch event in the Moor Market on Saturday 15th July 2017, 10am-4pm. Families will be able to have a go at some fabulous FREE activities and there will also be a market place of Learning Destinations armed with all the info you’ll need to plan your summer activities – school holidays sorted!

Please note that booking for all activities opens on 3rd July 2017. No bookings will be taken before this date.

Please see the full programme for booking information for all activities. You can view it by clicking here: Festival of Fun 2017 leaflet. Leaflets outlining the full list of activities will also be sent to schools, Learning Destinations and other partners this week so keep your eyes peeled!

Make sure you find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/sheffieldcu and follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SheffieldCU for all the latest Festival of Fun updates too!

Planning your Spring Bank fun?

Are you looking for some exciting activities to do over the Spring Bank holidays where you can also collect CU credits using your Passport to Learning?

The Children's University Passport to Learning newsletter which includes details of activities happening across Sheffield during the Spring Bank holiday is now available. Visit https://goo.gl/wpQCn4 to start planning your Spring fun!

Children and young people who take along a Passport to Learning to all the activities listed in the newsletter will be able to earn additional CU credits by taking part. There's also an up to date list and contact details of our validated Learning Destinations. If you don't have a Passport to Learning yet, don't worry! You can pop into any local library across the city and buy one for £3.50!

To keep up to date with all things CU you can also find us on Facebook, and Twitter!

Important Information about the Passport to Learning

You may have seen that we recently achieved the magnificent total of 2 MILLION HOURS of extra learning undertaken by the children and young people who are CU members in Sheffield – a fantastic achievement for the thousands of members across the city!

Even as our CU grows (we now have around 37,000 children who have taken part in CU in Sheffield), we continue to face increasing pressures on our budgets as part of the City Council. The day-to-day costs of all our resources including card and printing for certificates, badges, award ceremonies etc. continue to increase alongside other costs and ultimately this does impact on us, and the service we provide. Of course, we work really hard to minimise the impact of this on schools, Learning Destinations and families but sometimes this is just not possible.

We introduced the Passport to Learning over 6 years ago and in that time, we have been able to keep the cost exactly the same. However, a significant price increase from the CU Trust a few years ago means that Passports now cost us a lot more to buy in. Whilst we have been able to absorb some of these costs since then, we are now in a position where we need to increase the price of the Passport in order to be able to deliver our service.

As such, from 1st April 2017, the price of each Passport to Learning will increase to £3.50 each. They are currently £2.00 each.

As always, Passports to Learning are available for the new price of £3.50 each from all Sheffield Libraries. Some schools (which are subscribed to Sheffield CU) also sell Passports to Learning too.

This is a decision we have not taken lightly as we fully appreciate the impact this may have. However, in order to continue delivering Sheffield CU and all the activities, events and award ceremonies, we now need to introduce the price increase.

Don’t forget: there are a number of fantastic activities available at our Learning Destinations across the Easter holidays – take part and collect CU credits in your Passport to Learning! Download our Easter Newsletter here: https://goo.gl/FzyZh8 to find information about the events. You can also use your Passport to Learning to collect CU credits at Learning Destinations across the country too!

Planning your Easter fun?

Are you planning your Easter fun? The Children's University Passport to Learning newsletter which includes details of activities happening across Sheffield during the Easter is now available!

Click HERE, or the link at the side of this blog to start planning now!

Children and young people who take along a Passport to Learning to all the activities listed in the newsletter will be able to earn additional CU credits at these activities. There's also an up to date list and contact details of our validated Learning Destinations. If you don't have a Passport to Learning yet, don't worry! You can pop into Sheffield libraries across the city and buy one for the bargain price of £2!

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2 MILLION HOURS - we did it!

With your fantastic help and continued support, we have reached another very significant milestone here in Sheffield and it’s time to CELEBRATE!

Children and young people in Sheffield have clocked up over 2 MILLION HOURS of learning in their own time.

Children from Prince Edward Primary School

Since Children’s University arrived in Sheffield, 37,000 children and young people from across the city have been taking part in a wide range of exciting and fun learning activities out of school time. These activities have taken place in and around school, or in the community at ‘Learning Destinations’ across the city and every single hour has been recorded, awarded, and celebrated by Sheffield Children’s University.

Children from Southey Green Community Primary School & Nurseries

That’s because we feel it’s really important to add value to existing activities and reward and celebrate children and young people for choosing to learn in their own time. Not only does it increase their confidence, self-esteem and motivation, it has a real impact on their learning. Extensive local and national research shows a clear link between participation in CU activities and increased attendance and achievement at school. Children and young people who take part in CU activities not only do better in school than non CU students, they also do better than they were expected to.

Children from Fox Hill Primary School

We love to celebrate here at Sheffield CU, and we have lots of reasons! Just less than 3 years ago we celebrated achieving 1 million hours with over 24,000 children and young people involved, 50 schools subscribed, 100 Learning Destinations, 25 ceremonies, 5,000 Gold Award winners, 30,000+ Bronze and Silver Awards and 10,000 Passports to Learning in circulation.

Today with over 2 million hours recorded, rewarded and celebrated, there are a whopping 37,000 children and young people with CU credits! We currently have 70 schools subscribed to CU and over 200 Learning Destinations! We have hosted 54 special Award Ceremonies and presented over 10,000 Gold Award winners (100, 200, 300 hours etc) and 50,000+ Bronze and Silver Awards. There are 15,000 Passports to Learning in circulation too! WOW!!!

Children from Hartley Brook Primary Academy

Of course, none of this would be possible without our fantastic schools, Learning Destinations and partners. Through their hard work, dedication, and willingness to go above and beyond, we have been able to grow and develop CU in Sheffield to reach this magnificent achievement. And to the army of children, young people and families of our city who are part of CU in Sheffield - you are an inspiration.

There will be a press release shortly, but we couldn’t wait to share this special news with you first!

Katie, Helen, Sakina and Molly

The Sheffield CU Team

The Sheffield CU Acorn Fund

Towards the end of last year, we were thrilled to be able to offer another round of the Sheffield CU Acorn Fund to children and young people at our CU subscribed schools. 

Students from Yewlands Academy receive their cheque to fund their Animation Club

For those who don't know, the Acorn Fund is awarded to groups of children and young people from any Sheffield Children’s University school to use to develop out of school clubs and activities in school. The idea is that just like a tiny acorn grows into a huge oak tree, children and young people can use a small amount of money from the Acorn Fund to grow a wonderful club or activity in their school. The opportunity to bid for funds through this project is one of the many benefits for schools who are part of Sheffield CU, and enables us to empower children and young people to take ownership of their out of school programme and encourages consultation and good practice.

Children from Oughtibridge Primary School receive equipment for their Acorn Funded Nature Club!

This time around, 15 groups of children and young people from our CU schools put together successful bids and were awarded with the funds requested to develop and deliver their own CU activities in school. We were very impressed with the amount of research and consultation that was evidenced in many of the applications we received and were delighted to be able to support the start up of 15 different CU clubs!

Children from St Mary's CE receive their Acorn Fund cheque alongside their Headteacher Lynn Thorne

Some of the fantastic activities this time included climbing/bouldering club, coding club, archery club, nature club, table tennis, gymnastics, sensory club and even animation club! Specially designed cheques were sent into schools to be presented to the children and young people who made the bid and many of the clubs are now up and running in schools. HUGE congratulations to all the children and young people who took part!

A pupil from Southey Green Primary proudly receives their Acorn Fund cheque!

CU spotlight on....Sheffield Music Hub Changing Voices

A cambiata choir for boys to discover the power in their voices

As children progress through school, there is often a drop in the number of boys choosing to sing, and many secondary school choirs are made up almost entirely of girls. But the truth is that Boys DO sing! They just need the music they sing to be appropriate to their changing voices, and their changing expectations as they mature.

That’s why Sheffield Music Hub is delighted, in partnership with The University of Sheffield, to be launching a brand new cambiata choir (Google it!), called Changing Voices to help boys navigate the sometimes difficult “middle years”, and to discover the power in their voices.

At Changing Voices workshops, boys from Y5 to Y9 will meet new friends from across Sheffield, discover the joy of singing and playing together, and learn about the unique possibilities they have as young male singers. Sessions will ensure boys with an interest in singing will keep that interest, and develop the skills and strengths they need to sing as men: whether in a rock band, choir, musical theatre or just on the football terraces! And if they have a Children's University Passport to Learning, they can collect CU credits too!

 The cost for the spring term is just £10. This covers 3 workshops, and a short performance at the end of the final one.

As well as Changing Voices, Sheffield Music Hub also offers Festival Choir for boys and girls who enjoy singing. Boys who are also attending Festival Choir (meeting on the same days in the afternoon) can come to both for £15 for the full term.

Workshop dates:

• Sunday 12th March 2017 – 11.00am – 12.45pm at The University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN
• Sunday 19th March 2017 – 11.00pm – 12.45pm at The University of Sheffield Diamond Building, 32 Leavygreave Rd, Sheffield S3 7RD, Workroom 1 & 2
• Saturday 1st April 2017 – 11.00pm – 12.45pm at The University of Sheffield Diamond Building, 32 Leavygreave Rd, Sheffield S3 7RD, Workroom 1 & 2
• Further workshops and a performance will take place on 3 Sundays and a Saturday in June and July.

If you have any further questions, please contact peter.taylor@sheffield.gov.uk.

Visit https://www.sheffieldmusichub.org/sing-and-play/changing-voices for an application form.

Planning your February fun?

Are looking for things to do in the February half term holidays here in lovely Sheffield? Look no further as our February Passport activity newsletter is now available! 

Children and young people who take along a Passport to Learning to all the activities listed in the newsletter will be able to earn additional CU credits at these activities. These are available from Sheffield libraries, and some Learning Destinations across the city. 

There's also an up to date list and contact details of our validated Learning Destinations. To download it and start planning your all your holiday fun, click here: CU February Passport Activity Newsletter 2017

Collecting CU credits away from Sheffield...

Children’s University (CU) is all about rewarding children and young people for choosing to take part in extra learning in their own time both in and around school, and away from school too!

Our Sheffield CU records show us that children and young people with a Passport to Learning are taking part in extra learning all the time, from swimming lessons and dancing classes, to sports coaching, music lessons, arts and crafts, and outdoor activities.  We now have almost 200 different Learning Destinations here in Sheffield, awarding CU credits for participating in their learning activities.

However, we are increasingly seeing evidence of families visiting Learning Destinations beyond Sheffield which is fantastic.  Of course, the guidance applies to activities at Learning Destinations across the country, as they do in Sheffield. 

To be eligible for CU credits, an activity MUST be focussed on learning and we want to ensure you are squeezing every little last bit out of your trip! While you’re visiting, why not look for extra learning opportunities such as trails, quizzes, expert talks and ask your child about them afterwards?  You could teach your child to navigate round the attraction using a map, and perhaps even do some further research about something you’ve learned when you get home?  There are so many opportunities to learn all around us and our research shows that all that extra learning really can make a difference to your child’s progress and achievement back in school. We want to encourage all our CU families to develop their learning through the activities and visits they take part in and for parents/carers to look for ways in which they can help their children get the most out of these fantastic experiences.

To ensure we are fair and consistent in the CU credits we award for these activities, we will only award CU credits for the time spent taking part in learning activities, rather than the amount of time they spend visiting. Although valuable, time spent taking part in free play (i.e. not more focussed learning) as well as eating lunch, waiting in queues, visiting the toilets and the obligatory gift shops are not considered CU activity. We have amended our Diary Sheet to help you record your learning time more clearly.

There are Learning Destinations as far north as Scotland and as far south as the southern tip of Cornwall, so plenty to choose from.  If you’re going on holiday in the UK, then why not pack your Passport to Learning and visit a local Learning Destination while you’re there?  You can find all UK Learning Destinations on the CU Trust website: www.childrensuniversity.co.uk

But remember, so that we can award your CU credits when you return home, we need your child to complete and return a Passport Activity Diary Sheet which can be downloaded by clicking HERE or on the link to the right of this post.  Without a Diary Sheet, we are unable to award your child’s CU credits, and they can ONLY be collected at Learning Destinations on the CU Trust website.

We love reading about all your adventures at Learning Destinations across the country, and look forward to reading many more in the coming weeks and months.